Snapper 18HP - Manual

2 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Safety Safety Rules & Information Operating Safety Congratulations on purchasing a superior-quality piece of lawnand garden equipment. Our products are designed andmanufactured to meet or exceed all industry standards for safety. Do not operate this mach...

3 Safety Safety Rules & Information Slope Operation Operation on slopes can be dangerous. Using the unit on a slopethat is too steep where you do not have adequate wheel traction(and control) can cause sliding, loss of steering, control, andpossible rollover. You should not operate on a slope gr...

4 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Safety Safety Rules & Information Enclosed Areas Only operate this unit outdoors and away fromunventilated areas such as inside garages or enclosedtrailers. The engine emits poisonous carbon monoxidegas and prolonged exposure in an enclosed area canresul...

GENERAL OPERATION 1. Read, understand, and follow all instructions in the manual and on the unit before starting. 2. Do not put hands or feet near rotating parts or under the machine. Keep clear of the dischargeopening at all times. 3. Only allow responsible adults, who are familiar with the instruc...

6 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Safety TOWED EQUIPMENT (RIDE-ON UNITS) 1. Tow only with a machine that has a hitch designed for towing. Do not attach towed equipment exceptat the hitch point. 2. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for weight limit for towed equipment and towing onslo...

7 Safety SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE Safe Handling of Gasoline 1. Extinguish all cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other sources of ignition. 2. Use only approved gasoline containers.3. Never remove the gas cap or add fuel with the engine running. Allow the engine to cool beforerefueling. 4. Never fuel the...

8 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Safety Unit ID Tag Mower ID Tag Identification Numbers When contacting your authorized dealer forreplacement parts, service, or information youMUST have these numbers. Record your model name/number, manufacturer’sidentification numbers, and engine serial num...

9 Safety SAFETY DECALS This unit has been designed and manufactured toprovide you with the safety and reliability you wouldexpect from an industry leader in outdoor powerequipment manufacturing. Although reading this manual and the safetyinstructions it contains will provide you with thenecessary ba...

10 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Safety Safety Interlock System NORTH AMERICANMODELS ONLY: SAFETY INTERLOCKSYSTEM This unit is equipped with safety interlock switches.These safety systems are present for your safety, donot attempt to bypass safety switches, and nevertamper with safety devi...

11 Safety CE SAFETY ICONS Warning: Read Operator’sManual. Read and understand theOperator’s Manual before usingthis machine. Danger: Thrown Objects. This machine is capable ofthrowing objects and debris. Keepbystanders away. Warning: Remove Key BeforeServicing. Remove the key and consulttechnical li...

12 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Controls Ground Speed Levers These levers control the ground speed of the rider.The left lever controls the left rear drive wheel and theright controls the right rear drive wheel. Moving a lever forward increases the FORWARDspeed of the associated wheel, an...

14 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Operation Operation GENERAL OPERATING SAFETY Before first time operation: • Be sure to read all information in the Safety and Operation sections before attempting to operatethis tractor and mower. • Become familiar with all of the controls and how to stop t...

15 Operation WARNING If you do not understand how a specific controlfunctions, or have not yet thoroughly read theFEATURES & CONTROLS section, do so now.Do NOT attempt to operate the tractor withoutfirst becoming familiar with the location andfunction of ALL controls. STARTING THE ENGINE 1. Whil...

16 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Operation Operation ZERO TURNDRIVING PRACTICE The lever controls of the Zero Turn rider areresponsive, and learning to gain a smooth andefficient control of the rider’s forward, reverse, andturning movements will take some practice. Spending some time going...

17 Operation ADVANCED DRIVING Executing an End-Of-Row ZeroTurn Your Zero Turn Rider’s unique ability to turnin place allows you to turn around at the endof a cutting row rather than having to stopand Y-turn before starting a new row. For example, to execute a left end-of rowzero turn: 1. Slow down a...

18 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Operation MOWER REMOVAL ANDINSTALLATION NOTE: Perform mower installation and removal on ahard flat surface such as a concrete floor. Removal 1. Disengage the PTO, engage the parking brake, turn off the ignition, remove the key, and wait for allmoving parts ...

19 Operation MOWING Before mowing, set the cutting height as described inthe Troubleshooting, Adjustments & Service section. 1. Engage the parking brake. Make sure the PTO switch is disengaged and the motion control leveris in the NEUTRAL position. 2. Start the engine (see STARTING THE ENGINE). ...

20 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Operation When and How Often to Mow The time of day and condition of the grass greatlyaffect the results you’ll get when mowing. For the bestresults, follow these guidelines: 1. Mow when the grass is between three and five inches high. 2. Mow with sharp bla...

21 Operation Figure 15. Trailer Weight RecommendationsA. Clevis PinB. Clip ATTACHING A TRAILER The maximum weight of a towed trailer should be lessthan 200 lbs (91kg). Secure the trailer with aappropriately sized clevis pin (A, Figure 15) and clip(B). Excessive towed loads can cause loss of traction...

22 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Maintenance MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE & PROCEDURES The following schedule should be followed for normal care of your rider and mower. You will need to keep a recordof your operating time. Determining operating time is easily accomplished by observing the ela...

23 Maintenance Oil: • control handle pivots • discharge chute hinge Generally, all moving metal parts should be oiledwhere contact is made with other parts. Keep oil andgrease off belts and pulleys. Remember to wipefittings and surfaces clean both before and afterlubrication. LUBRICATION Lubricate t...

24 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Maintenance SERVICING THE MOWER BLADES Service Interval: Every 10 Hours or As Required 1. Remove mower deck (see “Mower Deck Removal”). 2. See Figure 17. To remove blade for sharpening, use a block of wood to prevent blade rotation whileloosening the capscr...

25 Maintenance CHECK TIRE PRESSURES Tire pressure should be checked periodically, andmaintained at the levels shown in the chart. Note thatthese pressures may differ slightly from the “MaxInflation” stamped on the side-wall of the tires. Thepressures shown provide proper traction, improve cutquality...

26 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Maintenance Regular Maintenance CHECK /FILL TRANSMISSION OIL Oil Type: 20W-50 conventional detergent motor oil. 1. Check the oil level when the unit is cold. The inspection port is located on the inside of the righttank cover. The oil level should be within...

27 Maintenance WARNING Be careful when handling the battery. Avoidspilling electrolyte. Keep flames and sparksaway from the battery.When removing or installing battery cables,disconnect the negative cable FIRST andreconnect it LAST. If not done in this order, thepositive terminal can be shorted to t...

28 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Troubleshooting Troubleshooting, Adjustments, & Service TROUBLESHOOTING While normal care and regular maintenance willextend the life of your equipment, prolonged orconstant use may eventually require that service beperformed to allow it to continue ope...

29 Troubleshooting Troubleshooting, Adjustments, & Service Rider Troubleshooting Continued. PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY Engine runs, but rider will 1. Hydraulic release valve(s) 1. Turn valve(s) clockwise to close. not drive. in “open” position. 2. Belt is broken. 2. See Drive Belt Replacement. 3. Driv...

30 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Troubleshooting TROUBLESHOOTING COMMON CUTTING PROBLEMS PROBLEM CAUSE REMEDY Streaking. 1. Blades are not sharp. 1. Sharpen your blades. 2. Blades are worn down to far. 2. Replace your blades. 3. Engine speed is too slow. 3. Always mow at full throttle. 4. ...

31 Troubleshooting SEAT ADJUSTMENT The seat and ground speed control levers should beadjusted so that operator’s elbows are supported bythe arm rests when his/her hands are on the controls,and the ground speed control levers can be movedthrough their full range of motion without contactingthe operat...

32 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Troubleshooting Figure 26. Cutting Height AdjustmentA. Cutting Height Adjustment PinB. Deck Lift / Cutting Height LeverC. Transport Release Lever B C A CUTTING HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT The cutting height adjustment pin (A, Figure 26)controls the mower cutting heig...

33 Troubleshooting Figure 27. Parking Brake AdjustmentA. Brake SpringB. Set CollarC. Locknut PARKING BRAKE ADJUSTMENT 1. Disengage the PTO, stop the engine, block the front wheels, remove the ignition key, and engagethe parking brake. 2. Elevate the rear end of the unit and remove the rear wheels. 3...

35 Troubleshooting WARNING To avoid serious injury, perform adjustmentsonly with engine stopped, key removed andrider on level ground. B A C A B B B Figure 29. PTO Clutch AdjustmentA. Adjustment Window (Qty. 3, one shown)B. Adjustment Nut Figure 30. Adjust PTO ClutchA. WindowB. Adjustment NutC. .016...

36 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Troubleshooting MOWER DECK LEVELING Perform these adjustments on a flat level surface. SIDE-TO-SIDE LEVELING 1. With the mower installed, place the rider on a smooth, level surface such as a concrete floor.Turn the front wheels so they are straight. 2. Chec...

37 Troubleshooting ROLLER BAR LEVELING (SELECT MODELS) The rollers on this Zero Turn unit are not intended toride on the ground. DO NOT adjust rollers to ride onthe ground. Rollers riding on the ground will damageturf and or unit. 1. First level the mower deck using the procedure found in MOWER DECK...

38 www.simplicitymfg.com | www.snapper.com Troubleshooting HYDRAULIC PUMP DRIVE BELTREPLACEMENT 1. Park the rider on a smooth, level surface such as a concrete floor. Disengage the PTO, engage theparking brake, turn off the engine, and remove theignition key. 2. Remove the PTO drive belt (see MOWER ...

ENGINE: 18 HP* Kohler Make Kohler Model Courage 18 Horsepower 18 @ 3400 rpm Displacement 32.6 Cu. in (535 cc) Electrical System 12 Volt, 15 amp. Alternator, Battery: 340 CCA Oil Capacity 1.6 qt. ( 1.5L) w/ Filter 19 HP* Kawasaki Make Kawasaki Model FH580V Horsepower 19 @ 3600 rpm Displacement 35.7 C...

M A N U F A C T U R I N G , I N C .500 N Spring Street / PO Box 997Port Washington, WI 53074-0997 www.simplicitymfg.com P R O D U C T S , I N C .McDonough, GA., 30253 www.snapper.com ENGINE: 18 HP* Kohler Make Kohler Model Courage 18 Oil Capacity 1.6 qt. ( 1.5L) w/ Filter 19 HP* Kawasaki Make Kawasa...